LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 



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UNITED STATES OF A3IERI€A. 



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A STTUDA 



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C)l-" tL^ 



The ^ Book ^ OF ^ Books 



BY REV. W. H, GROAX, 



NEW YORK : HUNT & EATON^ 
CINCINNATI: CRANSTON & CURTS. 



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A STUDY 



OF 



THE BOOK OF BOOKS 



FOR YOUNG PEOPLE 



FOR 



EPWORTH LEAGUES, SUNDAY SCHOOL ASSEMBLIES. 
INTERMEDIATE CLASSES, YOUNG PEOPLE'S 
SOCIETIES, BOYS' CLASSES IN Y. M. C. A. 
WORK, AND SUPPLEMENTAL LES- 
SONS IN THE SUNDAY 
SCHOOL 

j l^*^ By REV. W. H. GROAT 



s% 






NEW YORK : HUNT & EATON 

CINCINNATI : CRANSTON & CURTS 

1893 






Copyright, 1893, by 

HUNT & EATON, 

New York. 



\ 



Electrotyped, printed, and bound by 

HUNT & EATON. 

150 Fifth Avenue, New York. 



PREFACE 



This little work is an outgrowth of the Normal Lessons 
inaugurated by Dr. (now Bishop) J. H. Vincent at Chau- 
tauqua, and now used by nearly all the numerous Sunday 
school assemblies of our land, in the Outline Normal Lessons 
by Dr. J. L. Hurlbut. 

It is intended to supply a need long felt by our youth 
who have graduated from the primary department, and who 
are not yet sufficiently advanced for the Normal Class. To 
such this little study is offered in the hope that it may prove 
the stepping stone to more advanced woik. 

It may be found helpful also to classes in Young Men's 
Christian Association work, and for supplemental drills in 
the Sunday school, where the maps and illustrations will be 
found valuable for reference aside from the lesson study. 

W. H. Groat. 

Waterford, N. K, March 1, 1893. 



A STUDY OF THE BOOK OF BOOKS. 



LESSON I. 

THE BOOK WE STUDY. 

The book we study is known by several names, among 
which are: 

1. Bible from the material used in making ancient 
books; 

2. Oracles ivom. the mode of revealing the truth; 

3. Scriptures from the mode of recording the truth; 

4. Word, XaWj Testament, Covenant from the contents 

of the book. 

Note. — The word " holy " or " sacred " is often prefixed to these, as 
"Holy Bible," "Sacred Scriptures," etc. 

The Author of the Bible is God. By this we mean that 
God caused \% to be written by good men. These men were 
inspired. 

When we say these men were inspired we mean they loere 
especially directed by the Holy Spirit, so that they knew ichat 
and how to speah and lorite. This is called inspiration, 
(2 Tim. iii, 16 ; 2 Peter i, 21.) 

It is not certain as to the number of men thus inspired of 
God to write the Bible. We may say at least thirty -six, 
among whom are found the names of Moses, Job, Joshua, 
Samuel, David, Solomon, Ezra, Nehemiah, and all the 
prophets whose books bear their names, in the Old Testa- 
ment, while in the New Testament we have Matthew, Mark, 



A STUDY OF THE BOOK OF BOOKS. 



Luke, John, Paul, Peter, James, and Jude. Concerning 
these men we notice — 

1. Thei/ lived at different times, covering a period of six- 

teen hundred years. Moses, the earliest, wrote 1500 
B. C, and John, the latest, about 96 A. D. 

2. The^/ dwelt in different places, Moses, at first in 

Egypt, then in the wilderness; Job, in the land of 
Uz; Joshua spent the last years of his life in the 
Promised Land ; Samuel, David, and Solomon, in 
Palestine ; Ezra, in Babylon ; and Nehemiah, in 
Persia ; the Prophets (except Ezekiel and Daniel) 
and the New Testament writers lived in various 
parts of Palestine. 

3. Among them are found Vmgs, princes, warriors, states- 

men, shepherds, tax-gatherers, fishermen, and tent- 
makers. They lived in palaces, prisons, tents, and 
caves. 

4. The]/ icrite in various styles, consisting of prose and 

poetry, in figures, and in the plainest of terms. 
They also write history, anecdotes, exhortations, 
commands, prophecies. They narrate visions and 
dreams, and describe battles, sieges, victories, and 
defeats, as well as peaceful scenes of home and 
family life. 
If ice loere to take the separate books of these thirty-six or 
more writers and place them upon a shelf we would have a 
library of sixty -six different volumes. But in our Bible wx' 
have them all bound in one volume, the books written be- 
fore Christ making up the Old Testament (thirty-nine books), 
and tliose written after Christ forming the N'ew Testament 
(twenty-seven boc^ks). 

Three remarkable things are discovered in examining these 
various books — 

1. Tliey unite in one subject. Everything in these books 
has a bearing on one theme. 



A STUDY OF THE BOOK OF BOOKS, 



2. They are in accord with each other in their statements. 

There is not a single contradiction, properly so con- 
sidered, in the entire series of writings. The very few 
errors that have been found are simply mistakes in 
copying, and are of no importance. 

3. The subject is the greatest that can occupy men's minds: 

JRedeinption through Jesus Christ, the son of God. 

These three things could not possibly have happened if these 
men had been left to themselves in writing their books. Since 
they all agree in writing on the one great subject, and that a 
subject which could not have been invented by merely human 
intellects, it is plain that some wise mind greater than man's 
must have guided them. There could be no such mind to do 
this except God's. Therefore these men were inspired by 
God, and the Bible — the booh vne study — is the laord of God. 

There is another proof even stronger than this. When we 
accept the teachings of this book, repent of our si7is, and 
truly believe on the Lord Jesus Christ as our Saviour, we 
find pardon for all our past sins, grctce and strength are given 
to lead a new life, and the Holy Sjnrit within us, tells us we 
are children of God, 

This is proof /rom experieiice, and can only be known by 
those who test it. Should you ever hear any person say he 
did not believe the Bible you may be sure he has never 
tried it, for it promises all this, and the pkomises are true. 
Here are a few of them : 

Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord ; 
though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as w^hite as 
snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as 
wool. (Isa. i, 18.) 

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only be- 
gotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not per- 
ish, but have everlasting life. (John iii, 16.) 

Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may 
be blotted out. (Acts iii, 19.) 



A STUDY OF TEE BOOK OF BOOKS. 



And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou 
shalt be saved, and thy house. (Acts xvi, 31.) 

The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we 
are the children of God. (Rom. viii, 16.) 

If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and 
shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from 
the dead, thou shalt be saved. (Rom. x, 9.) 

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: 
old things are passed away ; behold, all things are become 
new. (2 Cor. v, 17.) 

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our 
sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John i, 9.) 

DIVISIONS OF THE OLD AND NEW TESTAMENTS. 

The Old Testament is divided into four parts: 

1. Pentateuch (containing five books), Genesis, Exodus, 
Leviticus, Numbers, and Dueteronomj^ 

2. Historical (containing twelve books), Joshua, Judges, 
Ruth, 1 and 2 Samuel, 1 and 2 Kings, 1 and 2 Chronicles, 
Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther. 

3. Poetical (containing five books), Job, Psalms, Prov- 
erbs, Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Solomon. 

4. Prophetical (containing seventeen books): 1. The 
foicr Greater Prophets: Isaiah, Jeremiah, (and his Lam- 
entations), Ezekiel, and Daniel. 2. The tioelve Mixor 
Prophets: Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, 
Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi, 

The New Testament is also divided into four 
parts : 

1. Historical (containing five books), Matthew, Mark, 
Luke, John, Acts. 

2. Pauline Epistles (containing fourteen books), Ro- 
mans, 1 and 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, 
Colossians, 1 and 2 Thessalonians, 1 and 2 Timothy, Titus, 
Philemon, and Hebrews. - 



A STUDY OF THE BOOK OF BOOKS. 



3. General Epistles (containing seven books), James, 1 
and 2 Peter, 1, 2, and 3 John, and Jude. 

4. Prophetical (containing one book). Revelation. 

MEMORY help FOR LEARNING THE NAMES OF ALL THE BOOKS 

OF THE BIBLE IN THEIR ORDER: 

^ ^ 



OLD TESTAMENT. 

Gelnd. 

J. J. R. 

i S i' K i C. 

Ezf N. E. 

J. p. p. 

E. S. 

IJ (L) E D 

HoJoAm 

ObJoMiNa 

HaZeHaZeMa 



NEW TESTAMENT. 

:\r. M. L. J. A. 
]{. 

G E P C 
iTh. 
iTi. 

T. P. 11. 
J. 

P (2) J (3) J 
R. 



QUESTIONS FOR REYIEW. 

What names are given to the "book we study? " 

Who is the author of the Bible? 

What do we mean by Inspiration ? 

How man}^ writers were inspired to write the Bible? 

When did tliey hve? 

AYliere did they hve ? 

Wiiat kind of people were they ? 

Describe the character of their wi'itings. 

How many books did they write? 

AVhen they are all bound together what are their two great divisions called ? 

How many books in the Old Testament ? The New Testament? 

AYhat three things are true of these books? What does this prove? 

Give another proof. W^hy stronger? 

Into how many parts is the Old Testament divided? 

Name the books of the Pentateuch. The Historical books. Poetical. 
Major Prophets. Minor Prophets. 

Name the New Testament divisions. 

Give five Historical books. The Pauline Epistles. The General Epis- 
tles. The Prophetical book«^. 

Name all the books of the Old and New Testaments in" ilicir order, 
1* 



A STUDY OF THE BOOK OF BOOKS. 



LESSON II. 

BIBLE GEOGRAPHY. 

THE OLD TESTAMENT WORLD, 

I. Location. That part of the world embraced in the 
Old Testament history lies partly in Asia and partly in 
Africa, and covers a territory about fourteen hundred miles 
long and nine hundred miles wide, 

(Teacher draw on blackboard a rough outline of the East- 
ern Hemispliere and mark out the Old Testament section.) 

II. Seas : 

1. Caspian Sea. In the northeastern part of the 
section. 

2. Persian Gulf. In the southeastern corner. 

3. Red Sea. Southwestern part. 

4. Mediterrai^ean Sea. Western part. 

5. Dead Sea. Near the Mediterranean Sea. 

III. Mountain Ranges : 

1. Ararat. Northern part. 

2. Lebanon. Western part. 

On Mt. Ararat Noah's ark rested after the flood. Leba- 
non Mountains, noted for their cedar trees, which grew in 
gi-eat abundance. 

IV. Rivers: 

1. Tigris. 2. Euphrates. Both these rivers rise in 
the north, and unite near the Persian Gulf, into 
which they flow. 

3. Jordan. East of Mediterranean Sea, flowing south 
into Dead Sea. 

4. Nile. In Egypt, flowing north into the Mediter- 
ranean Sea. 

V. Natural Divisions : 

1, Eastern Slope. 2. Central Plain. 3. Western Slope, 



.4 STUDY OF THE BOOK OF BOOKS. 



VI. Lands : 

Lands on the Eastern Slope. 1. Armenia. 

2. Media. 3. Persia. 

Lands in Central Plain. 1. Assyria. 2. Elam. 

3. Mesopotamia. 4. Chaldea. 5. Arabia. 
Lands on Western Slope. 1. Egypt. 2. Wilder- 
ness. 3. Canaan. 4. Syiia. 5. Phoenicia. 

VII. Localities: 

1. Eden. Junction of Tigris and Euphrates. 

2. Babylon. Capital of Chaldea, on the Euphrates. 

3. Ur, of the Chaldees. In Chaldea. 

4. Haran. In Mesopotamia. 

5. Nineveh. Capital of Assyria, on the Tigris. 

6. Jerusalem. Capital of Palestine. 

We may remember the following facts concerning each 
place: 

Eden, the home of our first parents. 

Babylon, where Daniel read the handwriting on the wall. 

XTr, Abraham's early home, and place of his first call. 

Haran, place of Abraham's second call. 

Nineveh, scene of Jonah's preaching. 

Jerusalem, home of David and Solomon, and place w^here 
the temple was erected. 

QUESTIONS FOR REVIEW. 
Where is the Old Testament World? 
How much territory docs it embrace? 
Name the five Seas. 
Name the two Mountain Ranges. 
What event is associated witli Mount Ararat? 
For what are the Lebanon Mountains noted? 
Name the four Rivers. 
Name the Natural Divisions. 
What lands on the Eastern Slope? 
What lands on the Central Plain ? 
What lands on the Western Slope? 
Name tlie six localities, and locate them. 
State a fact connected with each. 



A STUDY OF THE BOOK OF BOOKS. 



LESSON III. 
BIBLE HISTORY. 

mOM THE CREATION TO ABRAHAM, A PERIOD OF TWO THOU- 
SAND YEARS. 

The Creation. The first appearance of the earth at crea- 
tion was ''without form and void;" that is, empty. All 
Avas darkness and confusion. Six successive steps are de- 
scribed in bringing it to its present form and order. (Gen. i.) 

1. Light appeared. 

2. The arrangement of the w^aters above the firma- 

ment, or expanse, by which the open heavens, avith 
SKY and CLOUDS, appeared. 

3. The arrangement of the waters below, by which 

the LAND and seas were formed and vegetation 
was produced. 

4. Sun, moon, and stars, by which the light was reg- 

ulated, and the seasons ordered. 

5. Animal life. Fish of all kinds for the waters, and 

BIRDS for tlie air. 
G. The completion of animal life, cattle, and creep- 
ing THINGS for the earth, and man to have dominion 
over all. 
Then the inspired word reads that "on the seventh day" 
God ended his work, and rested "from all his work which 
lie had made, and God blessed the seventh day and sanctified 
it." (Gen. ii, 2, 3.) 

Afterward he commanded his people to "Remember the 
sabbath day to keep it holy " (Exod. xx, 8), because on the 
Sabbath, or seventh day, he had rested. 

God's Provision for Adam. God provided for Adam — 
1. A dwelling-place — Edkn. The name signifies a de- 
lightful place or gai'den. It is also called Paradise. 



A STUDY OF THE BOOK OF BOOKS. 9 

2. Food. Every tree in the garden, except one, was given 

for his subsistence. 

3. Occupation. Adam was to '^ dress " and " keep " the 

garden, which gave him pleasant work for his hands. 
He also gave names to all the animals, which exercised 
his intellect and implied study or work for his hrahi. 

4. A Wife — Eve. Thus was the first family formed, 

and the foundation of all society laid in the home. 

The Temptation. Satan, an angel who had himself 
fallen from his state of purity, was the tempter. 

The fruit of the one tree that liad been forbidden was se- 
lected by him as the temptation. In the form of a serpent 
he suggested doubt concerning God's word, and disobedi- 
ence of his plain command. Thus unbelief is found at the 
commencement of man's sin. 

The Fall, and its Consequences. Listening to the 
tempter they yielded, and, like the first scratch on the face of 
a beautiful mirror, or the first stain on a new and costly gar- 
ment, thi« first act of disobedience marred the beauty and 
purity of their character, destroyed forever their inno- 
cence, and left them with wicked and corrupt hearts. 

The consequences, unlike the scratch on the glass, or 
stain on the garment, did not stop with themselves, but must 
ever go on thPvOugh all their posterity. 

Unfit now for communion with God, and for the habita- 
tion of Eden, they were driven out from their beautiful 
home, and sentenced to labor elsewhere with toil and sweat. 

God's Mercy. Though banished from Eden God did 
not forsake them. His mercy is shown in giving them — 

1. A Promise of a Saviour. "I will put enmity between 
thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it 
shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel." (Gen. 
iii, 15.) Though tliey did not then understand when this 
promised deliverance should come, nor whom it would be, 
yet it was a great comfort to them. We now know it 



10 A STUDY OF TEE BOOK OF BOOKS. 

referred to the coming of Jesus Christ as the seed, or child, 
of the woman. 

2. A Way of Approach to God. Tliis was the altar of 
sacrifice. Shedding the blood of an animal on the altar 
signified the blood of Jesus, tliat would some day be shed 
for their sins on the cross. 

The Fearful Effects of Sin. Two sons were born to 
Adam and Eve, Cain and Abel. Abel brings an accept- 
able SACRIFICE : A lamb slain on an altar, as he had no 
doubt been taught by his parents to do. 

Cain brings an offeriyig of fruit, which could have no 
reference to the blood of Christ, and was not accepted by 
God; this made Cain angry and he slew his brother Abel. 
Thus we find Jealousy, Anger, Hatred, Murder as a result. 
Sin grows very fast when once it gains a foothold in the heart. 

The Ancestor of Christ. Abel being dead and Cain 
driven away by the Lord, God gives Eve another son, Seth, 
whose children were called the " Sons of God." Seth is the 
beginning of a line from which Christ was to come. Cain's 
descendants were Avicked. 

Enoch Translated. Enoch was the son of Jared. He 
was a descendant of Seth, and was taken to heaven without 
dying, God thus showed the world how he delighted to 
have us walk loith him, and how through Christ men might 
be saved eternally. Though they had lost a home in the 
garden of Eden they might gain a Aome in Heaven. 

The Deluge. About fifteen hundred years had now 
elapsed, and wickedness had constantly increased (Gen. vi, 5), 
until God informs Koah of his purpose to drown the world 
with a flood. 

Noah is commanded to build an ark three hundred cubits 
long, fifty cubits wide, and thirty cubits high. 

For one hundred and twenty years Noah is engaged in 
preaching to the people and completing the ark. 

At the end of that time (1656 A. M.) the Deluge is sent. 



A STUDY OF THE BOOK OF BOOKS. 



11 



Noah^ his wife^ with their three sons, jS/iem, Hrtm, and 
Japheth, and t/ieir lolves^ together with pcaV^ of all the ani- 
nials, were preserved in the ark. All others perished. 

The New "World. When the waters had subsided the 
ark rested on Mount Ararat^ and Noah^ with his company, 
came forth, the only living creatures, to begin the new world. 

As soon as Noah landed he huilt an altar and offered sac- 
rifices upon it. Thus the new world began. 



COMPARATIVE AGE OF THE PATRIARCHS BEFORE AND AFTER 
THE DELUGE. 



Name. 




Age. 

930 
913 
969 
950 
600 
438 
464 
205 
175 
180 
14T 
110 


Adam 
Seth 
Methuselah 
Noah 
Shera 

Arpbaxad 
Eber 
Terah 

Abraham 

Isaac 

Jacob 

Joseph 



























Covenant. God also made a covenant with Noah that 
never again would a deluge be sent upon the earth to de- 
stroy it, and appointed the rainboio in the cloud as a sign. 

Tower of Babel. After awhile the people grew wicked 
again, and huilt a great tower^ intending to make it reach to 
heaven. God confused their language so they could no longer 
understand each other, and scattered them over the earth. 

The descendants of Shem went to Asia. 



12 



A STUDY OF THE BOOK OF BOOKS. 



The descendants of Hcuii went to Canaan, and Unally to 
Africa. 

The descendants of Japheth went to Europe, 

Noah died 1998 13. C. Two years after Noah's death 
Abraham loas born, 1996. 

We call it in round numbers 2000 B. C, just midway be- 
tween Adam and Christ, 

SHORT DRILL IN DATES. 



Adam Jared 

Created, Born, 

4000 B. C. 3500 B. C. 

1 A. M. 500 A. M. 



Enoch Noah's Ark Abraham 

Translated, Beg'uii, Born, 

3000 B. C. 2500 B. C. 2000 B. C. 

1000 A. M. 1500 A. M. 2000 A. M. 



QUESTIONS FOR REVIEW. 
How long a period is covered by this lesson ? 
What was tlie first appearance of tlie earth nt creation? 
Name the six successive steps in tlio woik iliat followed. 
Wliat was the origin of the Sabbaih? 
What provision did God make for Aihitn ? 
W^hat enemy appeared in this home? For what purpose? 
Wliat was the result of the temptation ? 
How far did these results rfach? 
Wliat was their punislunent? 
In what two tilings was GodV mercy shown ? 
Repeat the lirst promise of a Redeemer. 
What was signified by the altar of sacrifice? 
Who made an acceptable sacrifice? Why? 
Who made an offering that was not acceptable ? Why ? 
What do w^e learn concerning the growth of sin ? 
Who was Seth? Enoch? 
When was the flood sent ? Why? 
What warning preceded it ? 
How were Noah and his family preserved ? 
With what did the new world begin ? 
What was God's promise, and iis sign ? 
How came the people finally to scatter ? 
To what countries did tliey go ? 
What great character now appears in the history? 



A STUDY OF THE BOOK OF BOOKS. 



13 



The Promised Land is bounded 

The territory actually ^^^'p'^^ | j HHJ | ] 1 1 1 








LESSON IV. 

BIBLE HISTORY. 

FROM ABRAHAM TO SAUL; A PERIOD OF XINE HU^'DRED YEARS. 

The human race began with Adam^ but the chosen peo- 
ple begins with Ahraham^ two thousand years afterward. 

Ah rah am was 
called of God to leave 
his home in Ur^ of 
the Chaldees^ which 
<3all was repeated at 
Haran^ in Mesopo- 
tamia, In this call 
three things were 
promised him: 

1. The Zand of 
Canaan^ which 
should become his 
home and the land 
of God's people for 
future generations. 

2. A Son, whose 
name sh ould be 
called Isaac. Abra- 
ham being childless, 
and now a very old 
man, this was a most 
unexpected event. 

3. A Great Pos- 
terity, which was to 
come through Isaac 
and his descend- 
ants. 



14 A STUDY OF THE BOOK OF BOOKS. 

Two great blessings were included in these promises — 

1. A Church, These descendants would constitute a 
great people, and in time a nation, which should make the 
Jewish Church, and afterward the Christian Church, 

2. A Saviour to come. Gen. xxii, 18, says: "In thy seed 
shall all the nations of the earth be blessed," and Gal. iii, 16, 
tells us that this promised " seed " was Christ. 

After this, to test Abrahain^s faith, God commanded him 
to offer his only son Isaac on the altar as a burnt offering. 
As the father is about to kill his son in obedience to the 
divine command God sent an angel to prevent the act, and 
a ram, caught in a thicket near by, was offered up instead. 

God meant by this not only to try Abraham's faith, but 
to show how in the future he would send Jesus, his only be- 
gotten Son, to be offered up on the cross as a sacrifice for the 
sins of the world. Thus Abraham offering up Isaac was a 
type of this great event. 

The choseji family now begins to increase. The three great 
names, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (or Israel), bring the histo- 
ry down to the children of Israel, who were Jacob's twelve sons. 

Let us learn their names : 

Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Dan, Gad, Naphtali^ 
Asher, Issachar, Zebulun, Joseph, Benjamin. 

Events that brought the Israelites into Egypt: 

1. Joseph sold into slavery. 

2. Joseph on the throne of Egypt. 

3. Joseph's brethren come down to buy corn. 

4. Joseph makes himself known, and provides a home for 
his father and brethren in Egypt. 

The children of Israel dwelt in Egypt in prosperity until 
after the death of Joseph, when a new king arose w^ho 
treated them with great cruelty. But they increased very 
rapidly, until they numbered over two millions, 

Pharaoh, the king, becoming afraid of their great numbers, 
ordered every male child born among them destroyed. One 



A STUDY OF TEE BOOK OF BOOKS. 15 

child, however, was providentially spared, and adopted by- 
Pharaoh's daughter. He was brought up and educated in 
the king's palace. 

This was Jloses, who afterward became the deliverer of 
the Israelites^ and their great Lawgiver, 

For forty years Moses remained in the palace of Pharaoh. 
Then, because of his defense of one of his enslaved coun- 
trymen, he was obliged to flee. In the wilderness he 
married a daughter of Jethro, and for another forty years 
was occupied caring for the sheep of his father-in-law. 

Thus w^as he providentially prepared ioY his great work of 
leading Israel through this very wilderness to the promised 
land, 

Moses was eighty years old when God spoke to him from 
a hurning bush^ calling him to return to Egypt and demand 
of Pharaoh, the king, the liberation of the children of Israel, 
Before Pharaoh consented ten fearfd plagues were visited 
upon him by the Lord, through Moses, 

First Plague, All the water of Egypt turned iiito Blood, 

Second Plague, Vast numbers of Frogs swarmed in the 
houses and sleeping apartments. 

Third Plague, The dust of the ground was turned into 
Lice, w^hich afllicted man and beast. 

Fourth Plague, From the air came immense swarms of 
Flies^ which covered and devoured the land. 

Fifth Plague, All the Cattle became Diseased, and large 
numbers of them died. 

Sixth Plague, Boils afficted the persons of the Egyp- 
tians and their cattle. 

Seventh Plague, A grievous storm of Hail, that destroyed 
men and beasts not protected by shelter. 

Eighth Plague, Swarms of Locusts ajDpeared, w^hich were 
very destructive to every careen thing. 

Ninth Plague, Thick Darkness prevailed over Egypt for 
three days, " A darkness that could be felt." 



16 



A STUDY OF THE BOOK OF BOOKS. 



During eacli of these plagues the children of Israel had 
been exempt, suffering no injury. Pharaoh had not given 
them permission to go, however, and it was not until the 
visitation of the Tenth Plague that they were allowed to 
take their departure. This was also tlie origin of the Pass- 
over. 

Just before the last plague came the Israelites were com- 
manded to slay a lamb, and sprinkle the doorposts of their 
houses with its blood. The destroying angel of God that 
night put to death the firstborn of every Egyptian family 
upon whose doorposts the blood was not found, while he 
passed over the houses of the Israelites who had obeyed the 
command. 



EDITEBllANEAN SEA / ^^ oi'-|| JVft.Pisgah 



M 



Dead Sea 




JOURNEYS 

OF THE 

ISRAELITES 



Then followed the hasty departure of the Israelites, under 
Moses, called the PJxodus, 1491 B. C. 

The Crossing of the Red Sea. The drowning of Pha- 
raoNs anny, which liad attempted to follow, and 3Ioses^s 
so7ig of deliverance^ on the other shore. 



O 




18 



A STUDY OF THE BOOK OF BOOKS, 



Marching straight to Mou7it Sinai they there encamped 
for one year, during which the Laio was giveii^ the Ten Com- 
mandments, and other precepts for their guidance, and the 
Tahernacle was erected. 



COMPARATIVE SIZE OF TERRITORY OF THE TWELVE TRIBES. 



Manasseh (East of Jordan), 2,500 square miles. 


Judah, 1,400. 




i 
1 

j 

1 
f 


Gad, 1,300. 






Simeon, 1,000. 










Manasseh (West), 800. 




Naphtali, 800. 


Reuben, 700. 


1 
1 




Ephraim, 600. 




Dan, 500. 






Issachar, 400. 






Zebulun, 
300. 






Asher, 
3U0. 




Beniamin, 

■300. 



















Led by the ^^//Zc/r of cloud and of fire they w^ere now 
brought northward to the border of the Promised Land^ but 
becoming afraid of the inhabitants they refused to obey 



A STUDY OF THE BOOK OF BOOKS. 



19 



God's command to go over and possess the land, and so were 
doomed to wander in the wilderness. 

God supplied them with water from the rock, caused 
manyia to fall from heaven for their daily food, and led 



Levi, 4,600. 



Simeon, 8,800. 



Ephraim, 130,000. 



Gad, 



162,000. 



Reuben, 



174,920. 



Naphtali, 



181,600. 



Benjamin, 



183,400. 



Manasseh, 



210,800. 



Asher, 



213,600. 



Zebulun, 



242,000. 



Issachar, 



257,200. 



Dan, 



257,600. 



Judah, 



306,000. 



COMPARATIVE POPULATION OF THE TWELVE TRIBES AT THE 
ENTRANCE INTO CANAAN. 



them by a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by 
night during the forty years of their wilderness life. 

When the Israelites at last reached Canaan only three 



20 A STUDY OF THE BOOK OF BOOKS. 

persons out of all those who started were yet living, Moses^ 
Joshua^ and Caleb, The last chapter of Deuteronomy will 
tell how Hoses, the man of God, died, and Joshua became 
the leader of Israel. The events that now follow are called 
the 

Conquest of Canaan, l. Crossuig the Jordan. 2. Fall 
of Jericho, beginning of the war which lasted seven years, in 
which thirty-one kings w^ere slain. 3. The land divided 
among the tribes. 

Karnes of the ticelve tribes: Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, 
Asher, Dan, Naphtali, Reuben, Simeon, Gad, Ephraim, Ben- 
jamin, Manasseh. 

Levi does not appear; he w^as called to the priesthood and 
had no inheritance. 

XoTE. — Joseph'' s name does not appear. His two sons, Ephraim and 
Manasseh, take his place. 

Twenty-five years after crossing the Jordan Joshua died, 
and for over three hundred years the people were ruled by 
Judges. These ^^^xo^ fifteeix in number, namely: 1. Othniel. 
2. Ehud. 3. SJiamgar. 4. Deborah. 5. Gideon. G. Abime- 
lech. 1. Tola. 8. Jair. 9. Jephthah. 10. Ibzan. 11. Elo7i. 
12. Abdon. 13. Samson. 14. Eli. 15. Samuel. 

The people demanded a king to rule over them, and Saul, 
of the tribe of Benjamin, was chosen as IsraeVs first king, in 
1095 B. C. 

QUESTIONS FOR REVIEW. 

With whom docs tlie chosen people begin ? 

What three things were promised him ? 

What two blessings were included in these promises? 

Who is the seed referred to in Gal. iii, IG ? 

How did God test Abraham's faiih? 

To what great event did this test point? 

To what was Jacob's nnme changed ? 

JyTame Jacob's twelve sons. 



PALESTINE 

in the time of 
JOSHUA, JUDGES& 

10 20 




s!^?^$o/w ) f '^'■•V-O'' Tiberias '"'■'^ 
# P'^lw'^'^fi^^A 'J^ake Genneaereth- 




'^^Lebonah'/.'??,;^ 



^?^*5|g^:^-^ 



^-^ 3Iahanaim 









XI I U . 

-- ,...,:^ .4,..- 
'" Aroer '/i _ 

'.Rabbath MoubJ^ \ 









yCityoi.- 

/ \Eiusa\ is •ii:^ti?^'^ o Jvr 



E^' A o-^*, 



1 — r — : i_-i^ -i^ 

Long. East 35 from Greenwich <\Bbzrah 



-;- 



I. Judah. 
II. Simeon. 

III. Benjamin. 

IV. Dan. 



KEY TO THE NUMBERS. 

V. Epbraira. 

VI. Manasseb (W.). 
VII. Zebulun. 
VIII. Issacbar. 

IX. Asber. 



X. Naphtali. 
XI. Manasseb (E.). 
XII. Gad. 
XIII. Reuben. 



22 A STUDY OF THE BOOK OF BOOKS. 

What events brought them to dwell in Kgypi? 

How did tliey fare after Joseph's death ? 

How many did the Israelites number at this time? 

Who was raised up for their deliverance ? 

How were the first eighty years of his life spent? 

What was there providential in this? 

How did God call him to lead the Israelites ? 

jSTame the ten plagues sent upon Pharaoh. 

Give the origin of the feast of the Passover. 

What was the Exodus ? 

What two great things occurred at Mount Sinai ? 

Why were the Israelites doomed to wander forty years ? 

How were they fed and cared for during that time ? 

How many of»those who started from Kgypt reached Canaan ? 

When did Moses die ? 

Name three events under Joshua's leadership. 

Give names of the twelve tribes. 

Was there a tribe of Joseph ? Why not? 

Why was not Levi reckoned among the twelve tribes? 

Name four prominent Judges. 

Who was the first king of Israel ? 



LESSON V. 

THE TABERNACLE. 

The Tabernacle was built by Moses, in the wilderness, 
while the children of Israel were at Mount Sinai. God gave 
him the plan and all the particulars of its erection, and com- 
manded him to make it (Exod. 26-30). The people con- 
tributed the materials for its building from the articles 
brought with them from Egypt, and by work wrought with 
their hands. 

Among the articles thus given were gold, silver, copper, 
linen, skins of animals, and embroidery work. 

The Tabernacle proper, or Sanctuary. This was a 
building and tent combined. Forty-eiglit boards made of 



A STUDY OF THE BOOK OF BOOKS. 23 



acacia wood, and plated on both sides with gold, were set on 
end in sockets of silver, making a structure forty-five feet 
long, fifteen feet wide, and fifteen feet high, open at the 
front end. To make it firm bars of wood, covered with 



THE TABERNACLE. 



gold, passing through a series of rings on the outside all 
around were placed. 

Across the front w^as hung a curtain of fine linen of blue, 
purple, and scarlet, forming the entrance. 

Over the top was stretched upon upright poles a double 
canvas made of goats' hair, forming a peaked roof. 



24 



A STUDY OF THE BOOK OF BOOKS. 



Over the sides and rear hung a curtain of badger or seal 
skin, to protect the golden surface of the boards, and over 





M. 




E. 




B. 


i 






LEVITES. 










!»l0O0 000 000 000 000 000i«j 










"c' o 












o 




o 












o 




o 








G. 




\l ARK 

8 

o 


OF THE D COXY. 

Holy of Holies. 


NANT. g 




A. 


















Altar of Incense. 












o 


Q 


o 












g 




3 












m 




1 




^\ 










w 


Gnld^r 


n C 


Table of 


H 








R. 


H 


6 Candles! kk 




Showbread. C 


Eh 








l-H 


o 






}-H 


D. 








> 


o 


i 


c 


> 










w 
1-1 




1 










o 




o 






^ Y JLAVER. ? 












^^^^H 














ALTAR OP 










S. 




^ BURNT OFFERING. o 

8 8 
jilOOO 000 000 000 000 ooo|>j 




N. 










Moses. 




Aaron. 










Z. 




J. 




I. 































GROUND PLAN OF THE TABERNACLE AND CAMP. 

this a second curtain of ram skins dyed red, to shed the rain 
and further protect from wind and weather. 



A STUDY OF TEE BOOK OF BOOKS. 



25 



Across the inside, one third the distance from the rear end, 
hung a curtain called the veil, which served as a partition 
between the two rooms thus formed. 

Inside this structure, reaching all the way around and half 
way up the sides, hung a double curtain of linen, with figures 
of cherubim embroidered upon it, forming something similar 
to the wainscoting of 
a room. Above this 
hanging could be seen 
the golden sides of the 
boards. There was no 
floor. 

This was also beau- 
tifully embroidered 
with figures of cheru- 
bim. 

The first room was 
called " The Holy 
Place,'''' The second, 
" The Holy of Holies P 

Fiirnit-are of the 
Sanctuary. In the 
Holy Place stood three 
articles of furniture. 

The Table of 
Showbread stood on 
the north or right side 
— a wooden table over- 
laid with gold, and 
upon it were placed 
twelve loaves of un- 
leavened bread in two 

rows or piles. The bread was for the priests, and was re- 
newed every Sabbath day. 

The G-olden Lampstand stood opposite the table. It 




HIGH PRIEST. 



26 



A STUDY OF THE BOOK OF BOOKS. 



was an upright stem haviug 




three branches on each side, 
making seven branches, hav- 
ing seven himps. It was made 
of solid gold. 

Farther on, close up to the 
"veil," stood a small altar of 
wood covered with gold, 
called the " Golden " or " Li- 
cense Altar. '''^ On it was 
placed every day the censer 
of burning coals, upon which 
the incense was burned by the 
priest, giving fortli a fragrant 
perfume. 

In the Holy of Holies 

GOLDEX CANDLESTICK. ^^^^^^ ^^.^^ ^^^^ ^^^ ^^j^^^ ^^ 

furniture. It w^as a chest or box forty-five inches long and 

twenty-seven inches in 

w^idth and height, made 

of wood overlaid with 

gold. It wns called the 

Ark of the Covenant, 

and contained: 

1. The Table of the 
Law. 

2. A Golden Vessel 
filled with Manna. 

3. Aaron's Rod that 
budded. 

The Ark had a golden 
lid or cover, called the 
Mercy Seat. On tliis 
cover were two cheriibim 
with wings spread out 
toward each other, between which appeared the She- 




AXCIEXT LAMPS FROM POMPEU. 



A STUDY OF THE BOOK OF BOOKS. 



27 



hlnaJi or bright light which denoted the presence of 
God. 

The Court. This was a space or yard one hundred and 
fifty feet long and seventy-five feet wide, surrounding the 
building and inclosed by a white linen curtain, hung by 
silver hooks, upon sixty posts seven and a half feet high, 
standing in copper sockets. 

The entrance to the Court was at the east end, at which a 
curtain of purple, blue, and scarlet hung. 

Only two articles of furniture occupied the Court. 




ARK WITFI CHKRUBISL 



The Altar of Burnt Offering. This was a hollow box, 
seven and a half feet square and four and a half feet high, 
made of acacia wood plated over with copper. A copper 
grate was made to slide through the middle. Upon this the 
fire was kindled and the sacrifices offered. It stood just in 
front of the entrance to the Court. 

The Laver. Back of the altar stood the Laver. This 
was a large circular basin to hold water. A faucet served to 
draw the water into a smaller basin underneath. At this the 



28 A STUDY OF THE BOOK OF BOOKS. 

priests washed their hands and feet while conducting the 
ceremony of the Tabernacle worship. 

Around the Court was an open space about two thirds of 
a mile wide. Surrounding this space were encamped the 
twelve tribes^ three on each side. 

Within the space were the tents of Moses and Aaron and 
the tribe of Levi. This tribe was chosen to assist the priests 
in the service of the Tabernacle, and had charge of the struc- 
ture, setting it up and taking it down when necessary, and 
carrying it while on the march. 

Directly over the Holy of Holies appeared the ^^zY/ar of 
cloud by day and fire by night. This was the guide by 
which they marched or encamped. 

Teachings of the Tabernacle. Books were very rare 
and made with great difficulty in nncicnt times. Printing 
was unknown. Though Moses wrote the Pentateuch (see 
Lesson I) he could not write books enough to circulate as 
we now do our Bibles. Very few people could write, or even 
read, in those days. 

Much teaching was therefore done by object lessons and 
pictures. 

The Tabernacle Avas a conspicuous object, readily seen by 
all as it stood in the center of the great camp. It stood 
there for study and explanation. It contained in its form 
and furniture all the principal truths of our Gospel. 

Moses and his assistants preached to the people from the 
lessons found in this structure, just as the preacher to-day 
does from God's word. Hence the Tabernacle might be 
called the Bible of the Wilderness. 

1. It taught them of Christ. As everything in our Bible 
leads to Christ, so everything connected with the 
Tabernacle pointed to Christ. 

The Altar of Sacrifice pointed to Christ's death on 
the cross. 

The Laver typified the washing of his blood. 



A STUDY OF THE BOOK OF BOOKS. 29 

Tlie Showbread represented the '^ Bread of life," 
and the Lampstand the *' Light of the World." (John 
i, 9; vi, 35.) 

The Altar of Incense typified prayer offered in the 
name of Christ. 

The Ark and Mercy Seat taught forgiveness and 
mercy through Christ. 

The Entrance Curtains remind us of Christ, who 
said, " I am the door " (John x, 9), and the icay from 
the Entrance Curtain, through the Court and through 
the Holy Places, to the Shekinah, makes us think of 
Christ, who said, "I am tlie way." (John xiv, 6.) 

2. Tt taught that God 'would dicell with his people. The 

Tabernacle was God's dwelling-place. (Exod. xxv, 8.) 

3. It taught that tnan could approach God. All the 

entrances and ceremonies were for that purpose. 

4. It taught man the need of being holy. None could enter 

excejDt by way of the altnr and by washing at the Laver, 
which symbolized forgiveness and cleansing from sin. 
These are only a few of the many truths taught by this won- 
derful structure. There are many more which cannot be placed 
in one lesson. 

QUESTIONS FOR REYTEW. 
Where was the Tabernacle first erected ? 
Who was the architect ? 
Who was the builder? 
What were its materials? 
Give the size of the Sanctuary. 
How was it made ? 
With what was it covered ? 
How was it divided ? 
Name tlie furniture of tlie Sanctuary. 
Wliat was placed on the Table-? 
Wliat was the Candlestick? 
Describe the Incense Altar. 
. Describe the Ark of the Coven 'int. 
What was the Shekinah ? 
2* 



80 A STUDY OF THE BOOK OF BOOKS. 

Describe the Court and its furniture. 

Who occupied the open space around the Court? 

What was the business of the Levites ? 

Where was the pillar of cloud ? 

What was the mode of teaching in ancient times ? 

Why may tlie Tabernacle be called the "Bible of the Wilderness ? " 

How did it teach Christ ? 

What did it leach concerning God ? Man ? 



LESSON VI. 
BIBLE HISTORY— THE KINGDOM. 

FROM SAUL TO THE CAPTIVITY IN BABYI.OX A PERIOD OF 

FIVE HUNDRED AND EIGHT YEARS. 

The History of the Chosen Nation from ilie Coronation 
of Saul to the Captivity in Babylon may be divided into tico' 
periods : 

1. TJie Period of the United Kingdom, 

2. The Period of the Divided Kingdom, 

The Period of the United Kingdom Listed 07ie hundred 
and twenty years, durinir wliirh lime they liad Three Kings 
— Saul, Danid, Solomon, eacli reigning forty yp:ars. 

Princip;.! events in tlie Reign of Saul. — 1095 B. C. to 
1055 B. C. 

1. Conquers the Enemies of Israel. (1 Sam. xiii.) 

2. Disobeys God. (1 Sam. xv, 20-22.) 

3. David A)\ointed as the Future King. ( 1 Sam. xvi, 11-1 3.) 

4. Goliath Slain by David. (1 Sam. xvii, 38-54.) 

5. Said Hunts David^s Life. (1 Sam. xviii, 10, 11.) 

6. Said^s Defeat and Suicide at Mount Gilboa. (1 Sam. 
xxxi, 1-G.) 

Principal events in David's Reign. — 1055 B. C. to 1015 
B. C. 

1. David King in Hebron, (2 Sam. ii.) 

2. David King over All the Nation. (2 Sam. v.) 




INTERIOR OF SOLOMON S TEMPLE. 




HEROD S TEMPLE FROM THE MOUNT OF OLIVES. 



A STUDY OF THE BOOK OF BOOKS, 



3. Capture of Jerusalem, (2 Sam. v, 6-10.) 

4. Tlie Kingdom Enlarged, (2 Sam. viii.) 

5. Absalom^ s EehelUon. (2 Sam. xv.) 

6. Materials Gathered for the Temple, (1 Chron. xxii.) 

7. Solomon Anointed King, (1 Kings ii, 32-40.) 

8. David's Death, (1 Kings ii, 10, 11.) 

Principal events during Solomon's Reign. — 1015 B. C. 
to 975 B. C. 

1. Solo7no7i^s Choice. (1 Kings iii.) 

2. Kstablishmeiit of Peace. (1 Kings iv.) 

3. Buildimj of the Temple, (1 Kings v-viii.) 

4. Visit of the Queen of Sheha. (1 Kings x.) 

5. Solonion^s Sin and Death. (1 Kings xi, xii.) 

This brings lis to tlie end of the United Kingdom, God 
had foretold the division of the Kingdom because of Solo- 
mon'^s great sin. Upon the deatli of Solomon ten cfthe 
TRIBES rebelled and set up a Kingdom for themselves. 

The ten tribes that rebelled were called The Kingdom 
of Israel. They continued two hundred and lifty-f our years 
and had nineteen kings. 

Under Jeroboam, their first King, they made Samaria their 
capital, and no longer went to Jerusalem to worship. In the 
new capital they set up a Golden Calf to represent the God 
A\ ho had delivered them from Egypt, and this idolatry soon 
led them to a still worse form of heathen worship called 
]>aalism. Thus they sunk lower jand lower in sin. Every 
one of their nineteen kings did wickedly, and not even the 
f -ithful warnings of Elijah, the great prophet, or Klisha^ his 
successor, nor yet Jonah, or Uosea, who also prophesied 
among them, could bring them to reform. 

In 721 B. C. Shalmunezer, King of Assyria, conquered 
Samaria and carried the people into captivity, from which 
they never returned. They are to this day spoken of as the 
" Lost Tribes.'' 

The Kingdom of Jndah. The two remaining tribes, 



A STUDY OF THE BOOK OF BOOKS. 



Judah and Benjamin^ remained true to Solomon's son Rdio- 
boam, and were called The Kingdom of Judalu 

This Kingdom lasted three hundred and eighty-eight 



THE TEMPLE 



THE TOWER OF ANTONIA 

-J^l^.^I^S'Sjster GatT 




OPHEL 



< 
> 



years. During that time they had Nmeteen Kings and One 
Queen, 

They occupied the southern portion of Palestine. 

Their kings were all descended from David^ as God had 



34 A STUDY OF THE BOOK OF BOOKS. 

promised they should be, and through this line was finally to 
come Christ. 

Jerusalem remained their capital, and the Temple loorship 
remained the National religion. 

But Idolatry found its way among the people, and the 
Temple worship was sometimes neglected. Five of the nine- 
teen kings were Reformers^ who in each case brought the 
people back from their false religion to the worship of the 
true God. 

Names of the Five Reformers : 
Asa in 955 B. C. 
Joash in 878 B. C. 
Hezekiah in 726 B. C. 
Manasseh in 673 B. C. 
Josiah in 641 B. C. 

After Josiah's reformation there followed four wicked 
kings in succession, and under King Zedeklah^ the last one, 
God permitted Nebuchadnezzar^ King of Babylon^ to capture 
Jerusalem and carry a\\ ay tlie people into captivity, 606 B. C. 

In 587 B. C. he came again and completely destroyed the 
city and the Temple, leaving the land of Judea desolate, as 
had been foretold by Isaiah the prophet one hundred years 
before. 

This was the end of the Kingdom of Judah as an inde- 
pendent kingdom. 

QUESTIONS FOR REVIEW. 

How long did the United Kingdom last? 

Name the tliree Kings. 

Give principal events in the reign of each. 

Wlnt T.il)cs rebelled? 

What was tlieir Kingdom called? 

What was the character of their Kingdom? 

How long did they continue? 

What became of them ? 

How long did the Kingdom of Judah last? 

How many rulers did they have ? 



A STUDY OF THE BOOK OF BOOKS. 



85 



What part of Palestine did they occupy ? 

From whom were all their Kings descended ? 

Wliat of their religion ? 

Name their five reformers. 

"Who carried them away into captivity ? Where ? 

When was Jerusalem destroyed? 

What great prophet foretold this ? 



When ? 



LESSON YIL 
BIBLE HISTORY. 

FROM THE CAPTIVITY TO JOHN THE BAPTIST — A PERIOD OF 
SIX HUNDRED YEARS. 

The Captivity in Babylon lasted seventy years, during 
which Jerusalem and Judea were left in ruin and desolation. 




The prophets Ezekiel and Daniel appear as the most promi- 
nent characters during this period. 

I^zehiel^2,% among the earliest captives, and foretold while 
in Bahylon the total destruction of Jerusalem, He did this 
by making a picture of the city on a slate and building repre- 



^6^ A STUDY OF THE BOOK OF BOOKS. 

sentatioiis of forts around it, and showing how the inhabit- 
ants should be slain anil scattered by cutting off his hair 
and scattering it in various ways. (Ezek. iv.) 

lie also proj^hesied the restoration of Israel in the Vision 
of the Valley of Dry Bones. (See Ezek. xxxvii.) 

Daniel was also among the captives, and was chosen 
among other young men to be educated by King Nebuchad- 
nezzar in the Chaldenn learning and religion. 

Daniel and three of his companions refused to forsake 
the religion of their fathers, and when meat and wine from 
the King's idolatrous table were set before them they refused 
to partake of it. 

God gave them favor in the eyes of the King's chief servant, 
however, who, after testing them with vegetable food (which 
had not been consecrated to idols), allowed them to follow 
their own consciences. 

As a result Daniel and his three companions were found at 
the end of three years' study under their teachers wiser than 
any others in the King's realm. And Daniel was the wisest 
of them all. 

After this King Nebuchadnezzar set up an image at which 
all persons were commanded to worship. The three com- 
panions of Daniel — Shadrach^ Meshach^ and Ahednego — 
refusing, they were cast into a burning furnace. But, to the 
King's great astonishment, as he looked into the furnace he 
saw them walking in the midst of the tire unhurt, and there 
was a fourth person with them who was '' like the S&n of 
Godr (Dan. iii, 25.) 

This miracle had a great effect upon the King, who thus 
became a believer in the true God, but he was very proud, 
and it was not until he had become insane and /or seven years 
lived in the fields and ate arass like an ox, that he humbly 
acknowledged his own dependence upon the true God. (Dan. 
iv, 28-37.) 

After these events Nebuchadnezzar died, and under Bel- 



A STUDY OF THE BOOK OF BOOKS. 87 

shazzar occurred IVie Htmclwrltutg on tJie Wall, which fore- 
told the capture of Babylon by Darius the Mede, and death 
of Beljslijizzar, as interpreted by DanieL 

Daniel \s made First President over the one hundred and 
twenty princes of the Kingdom under Darius. 

These one hundred and twenty princes form a conspiracy * 
under which Daniel^ because of his hahit of Prayer, is cast 
into a Den of Lions, but God sent his angel among the lions 
and they did him no harm. 

The King then commanded that Daniel's accusers be 
thrown to the lions, and they were devoured. 

During these events the Jews, who had been brought from 
their home in the Promised Land to live among strangers in 
Babylon, constantly longed for their own country again. 

Their long captivity taught them many lessons, among 
them that of tlie utter folly of morsliiping idols. Never 
again do we read of idolatry among the children of Israel. 
The one hundred and thirty-seventh Psalm is a description 
of the Israelites during their captivity. We insert it here to 
be read in concert by the class: 

By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down; yea, we 
wept, when we remembered Zion. 

We hanged our harps upon the willows in the midst thereof. 

For there they that carried us away captive required of us 
a song ; and they that wasted us required of us mirth, say- 
ing, Sing us one of the songs of Zion. 

How shall we sino- the Lord's sonof in a strano^e land? 

If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget 
her cunning. 

If I do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the 
roof of my mouth; if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief 

joy- 

Remember, O Lord, the children of Edom in the day of 
Jerusalem; who said, Rase it, rase it, even to the foundation 
thereof. 



38 A STUDY OF THE BOOK OF BOOKS. 

O daughter of Babylon, who art to be destroyed; happy 
shall he be that rewardeth thee as thou hast served us. 

Happy shall lie be that taketh and dasheth thy little ones 
against the stones. 

At the end of the seventy years (as foretold by Isaiah two 
hundred years before) Cyrus, who was then king in Babylon, 
permitted all who wished to return to their ow7i land, giving 
them such assistance as needed. 

Many of the Jews, with Zerubbabel (a prince descended 
from David) at their head, then returned, taking with them 
the things belonging to the Temple. 

Their joy upon returning is thus described in the one 
hundred and twenty-sixth Psalm : 

When the Lord turned again the captivity of Zion, we 
were like them that dream. 

Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue 
with singing: then said tliej among the heathen, The Lord 
hath done great things for them. 

The Lord hath done great things for us ; whereof we are 
glad. 

Turn again our captivity, O Lord, as the streams in the 
south. 

They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. 

He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, 
shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his 
sheaves with him. 

The Events that followed : 

The Temple rebuilt by Zerubbabel, after opposition by 
the Samaritans. Begun in 435 B. C. Finished in 515 B. C. 

About 450 B. C. Ezra, the priest, taught the Jews God's 
law, and collected the book3 of the Old Testament together as 
we now have them. 

About 430 B. C. Nehemiah went to Jerusalem and rebuilt 
the wall of the city. 

There Avere many Jews yet remaining in the land of Per- 



A STUDY OF THE BOOK OF BOOKS. 89 

sia who did not return to Canaan, among whom occurred 
the events of the Book of Esther. 

Outline of the Story of Esther. King Ahasuerus 
— Queen Esther — Mordecai — Haman's avrath — Plot to 
destroy the Jew^s — Mordecai honored — Haman hanged 
— The Je^vs delivered — Feast of Purim instituted. 

The Prophet Malachi was sent to foretell the coming of 
Christ and of his forerunner^ John the Baptist. 

This doses the Old Testament History. About four hun- 
dred years now passed, during which time no raore prophets 
were sent until John the Baptist locis born^ six months he- 
fore Christ. He preached repentance^ and prepared the 
'may for the work of Christ. He is called \\^^ forerunner of 
Christ, His ministry was very short. He was imprisoned 
by Herod the King because he dared to rebuke him for doing 
wrong, and soon after his head was cut off by order of the 
wicked king. 

QUESTIOXS FOR HEYIEW. 

How loDg did the captivity in Babylon last? 

What was the condition of Judea during that time? 

What two propliets w^ere with the captives ? 

What were Ezekiel's prophecies ? 

How was Daniel tested as to his religious faith ? 

Describe the miracle concerning the three companions of Daniel. 

How was Nebuchadnezzar finally humbled ? 

Under wliat king did the " handwriting ou the wall occur? " 

What was Daniel's position under Darius? . 

What was the effect of the seventy years' captivity upon the Jews ? 

Did they forget their own land ? 

Who permitted the Jews to return ? 

When was the second temple erected ? 

By whom ? 

Who collected the books of the Old Testament? 

What was Nehemiah's work ? 

Are you familiar with the story of Esther? 

Name the last prophet of the Old Testament. 

Who is the forerunner of Christ ? 

What became of him ? 



40 



A STUDY OF THE BOOK OF BOOKS. 



LESSON VIII. 
BIBLE GEOGRAPHY. 

NEW TESTAMENT WORLD. 

The events of the New Testament world took place in a 
locality farther west than the Old Testament World — about 




OLD AND NEW TESTAMENT WORLDS. 

one thousand miles. (Show on map of Eastern Hemisphere, 
as in Lesson II, adding with the chalk a square to the Old 
Testament space.) 

I. Seas : l. Black — north of Asia Minor. 2. Mediterra- 
nean — washing the shores of all the New Testament countries. 
3. Galilee — east of Mediterranean. 4. Dead — south of 
Galilee. 

II. Islands: l. Cyprus — off south coast of Asia Minor. 
2. Crete — south of ^gean Sea. 3. Patmos — west coast of 
Asia Minor. 4. Sicily— south of Italy. 



A STUDY OF TEE BOOK OF BOOKS. 41 

III. Lands: 1. Egypt, in Africa. 2. Palestine, Phoenicia, 
Syria, and Asia Minor, in Asia. 3. Macedonia, Greece, and 
Italy, in Europe. 

IV. Localities: 1. Jerusale^n, in Fsdestine, 2. Damascus 
and Antloch^ in Syria. 3. Kphesus and Tarsus^ in Asia Mi- 
nor. 4. Athens and Corinth^ in Greece. 5. Monie^ in Italy. 

Learn one or more facts concerning each of the following 
places : 

Egypt. — Jesus's temporary home in infancy. 

Jerusalem. — Crucifixion of Christ. Pentecostal Baptism. 

Samaria. — The woman at the well. Simon the Sorcerer, 
Acts viii. 

Damascus. — Saul converted. Escape by means of a 
basket. 

Anttoch. — Disciples first called Christians. Appointment 
of the first Missionaries. 

Ephesus. — Bonfire of Heathen books. Location of one of 
the Seven Churches. 

Tarsus. — Birthplace of Saul. 

Athexs. — Preaching of Paul. 

Cori:n^th. — Paul working at his trade, tent-maker. 

Rome. — Paul imprisoned. Paul's greatest Epistle sent to 
Romans. 

QUESTIONS FOR REVIEW. 

Wliere is the New Testament World? 
Name the four Seas given in this lesson. 
Where is the Sea of Galilee? The Dead Sea ? 
Name the four Islands. 
Where is Eg.ypt ? Palestine ? Syria ? 
Which is the promised land? 
What lands in Europe? 
Name the places in G-reece. 
Name the places in Syria. 
Where is Rome? 

Name an event which took place in Jerusalem. In Antiocli. 
Damascus. Athens. Samaria. 



42 



A STUDY OF THE BOOK OF BOOKS. 



LESSON IX. 
BIBLE GEOGRAPHY. 

PALESTINE. 

Location. A strip of land on the southeastern shore of 
the Mediterranean Sea. 

Boundaries. It was bounded on the north by Syria 
and Phoenicia ; east by the Arabian Desert; south by 
the Wilderness of Sinai ; and west by the Mediterranean 
Sea. 

Dimensions. In length about one hundred and fifty 
miles. About ninety miles wide at its southern border, and 
thirty miles wide at its northern extremity. Its area be- 
tween the Jordan and the sea was about seven thousand 
eight hundred square miles. 



Joshua, 
B.C. 
1443. 
11,000 
sq. m. 



Snul, 
B. C. 
101)5. 
6,000 
sq. m. 



Solomon, 

B. C. 1000. 

60,000 

sq. m. 



Ten 

Tribes, 

B. C. 975. 

9,400 

sq. m. 



Jiidah, 

B. C. 

975. 

3,400 

sq. m. 



Maccabees, 

B. C. 100. 

11,000 

sq. m. 



Herod 

the 
Great, 
B. C. 6. 
12,000 
sq. m. 



COMPARATIVE AREA OF PALESTINE AT DIFFERENT PERIODS. 



A STUDY OF TEE BOOK OF BOOKS. 



43 



"Waters. The River Jordan, rising in the north and 
flowing south nearly the entire length of the land, into the 
Dead Sea, 




LaJce Merom, a small lake in the northern part. 
Sea of Galilee (called also Sea of Tiberias, and Lake of 
Gennesaret), south from Lake Merom, and considerably larger. 



44 



A STUDY OF THE BOOK OF BOOKS. 



/ 



Dead Sea^ in the southern part of the land, the largest of 
all its bodies of water. 

Peculiar Features. The Jordan flows through the two 
first named lakes and into the Dead Sea, so 
that all these waters may be said to be one. 

They lie in a direct line from north to south. 

Though the Jordan measures only one hun- 
dred and thirty-four miles from its source to its 
mouth, yet it wdnds about so continuously as to 
actually measure about two hundred miles in 
length. 

The Jordan flows down a steep grade from 
its source to the Dead Sea. 

Beginning at an elevation of eighteen hun- 
dred feet above the level of the Mediterranean, 
at Lake IVIerom it is ahoiit level with the sea. 
At the Sea of Galilee it is seven Jumelred fett 
helou\ and at its enti-ance to the Dead Sea we 
find it tliirteen hundred feet loicer than the sur- 
face of the jMediterranean. 

The Dead Sea receives all of this vast body 
of Avaters, and yet has no outlet by which to 
discharge it. Evaporation is the only means 
known by which it is kept from rising. Its 
waters are so salt that no fish are found in its 
depths, and only a few inferior forms of life 
exist. 

Mountains. In the north, Mount Leheinon^ 
Mount Jlernion. Near the Sea of Galilee, 
Mount Tcihor^ Mount Gilboet. On the coast, 
Avest of the Sea of Galilee, 3Ioi(nt Carmel, 
Near the center of the land, Mount Ehedy 
Mount Gerizim. Near Jerusalem, Mount of Olives. The 
site of Jerusalem, Mount Zion, North of the Dead Sea, 



Mount N'tho, 



46 



A STUDY OF THE BOOK OF BOOKS. 




•'ONE OF THE OLD CEDARS. 



Natural Divisions. The Coast Eeglon^ along the Med- 
iterranean Sea. 

The Mountain Liiie^ extending up and down tlie lengtli 
of the land. 



A STUDY OF THE BOOK OF BOOKS, 47 

The Jordan Valley^ through which the Jordan flows. 
The Eastern Table-lands, extending east from the Jor- 
dan. 

CoTintries. In the time of Christ tlie land was divided 
into Five countries : 

Three west of the Jordan : 
Judea^ the southern part. 

Jerusalem^ Bethlehem^ Samaria, the central part. 
Galilee, the northern part. 
Two east of the Jordan : 

Perea and the TetrarcJty of Philip, 
Places. Gaza, Joppa, Coisarea, on the coast. 
Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Samaria, Nazareth, in the in- 
terior. 

Jericho, Capernaum, Dan, in the Jordan Valley. 
See the map for more definite locations. Also consult 
charts and maps for other interesting information. 

QUESTIONS FOR REVIEW. 

Locate Palestine and give its bonndaries. Dimensions. Waters. 

What is tliere peculiar about the length of tlie Jordan River? 

At what height above the level of tlie Mediterranean is its source? 

How far below this level at the Dead Sea? 

What peculiaritv is connected with the Dead Sea? 

Name the mountains in the north. 

Those near the Sea of Galilee. 

On the coast and m the center. 

Near Jerusalem. 

Give the natural divisions. 

Give the countries. 

What places on the coast ? 

In the interior ? 

In the Jordan Valley ? 



48 A STUDY OF THE BOOK OF BOOKS. 

LESSON X. 

THE LIFE OF JESUS CHRIST. 

A PERIOD OF THIRTY-THEEE AND A HALF YEARS. 

We may divide the life of Jesus Christ into M>ur 
Periods : 

1. Period of Preparation. 

2. Period of his Ministry. 

3. Period of his Passio7i. 

4. Period of his Resurrection, 

I. The Period of Preparation extended from his Birth 
to his Baptism, Time, thirty years. 
The principal events of tliis period are : 

1. Birth of Christ in Betlilehem, as foretold by the 
prophet Micah seven hundred years before. (Matt, ii, 4; 
Micah v, 2.) 

2. Appearance of the Angels^ announcing to the Jewish 
shepherds the birtlj of the Saviour, as they weie watching 
their flocks by night. (Luke ii, 13, 14.) 

3. Visit of the Wise Me7i (Gentiles) from the East (per- 
haps Persia), having been directed by a star which appeared 
to them there. They came with presents and worshiped the 
infant Saviour. 

4. The Flight into Egypt. Herod the King seeking to kill 
the young child, God warned the parents in a dream to carry 
the babe into Egypt. After Herod's death they returned 
and dwelt at Nazareth. (Matt, ii, 23.) 

5. Visit to the Temple at twelve years of age. It was the 
custom to visit the Temple every year at the Feast of the 
Passover. Children were expected to begin this duty at 
twelve years of age. This was Christ's first visit. He 
surprised the learned men who were there as he listened 
to their discussions and asked them questions. (Luke ii, 



A STUDY OF THE BOOK OF BOOKS. 49 

41-47.) Tlie Passover Feast was lield to commemorate 
the Jews' deliverance from Egypt. (See Lesson III.) 

6. Eighteen Years of Silence. Nothing is told us of these 
eighteen years from twelve to thirty, except that he lived 
with his parents and was " subject unto them," and that he 
"increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God 
and man." (Luke ii, 51, 52.) 

At thirty years of age Jesus came out from his retire- 
ment and was Baptized by Jolin the Baptist in the river 
Jordan. 

IL Period of His Ministry. Time, three and a half 
years. 

1. The Temptation. (Matt, iv, 1-11.) Immediately after 
his baptism Jesus spent forty days in the wilderness fast- 
ing. Here he was met by Satan, who tempted him to 

(1) turn the stones into bread to satisfy his hunger; 

(2) to cast himself down from the pinnacle of the Tem- 
ple and go unharmed; (3) to fall down and loorshij? the 
devil and receive all the kingdoms of the world as a re- 
ward. 

Jesus shows Satan from the Scriptures that all these 
would be contrary to the commandments of God, and Satan 
is forced to leave him. 

Thus are we taught that Jesus sympathizes with Ids 
folloioers Avhen they are tempted (Heb. ii, 18; iv, 15); also 
the importance of a thorough knowledge of the Word of 
God. (2 Tim. iii, 15.) 

2. Calling Sis Disciples. He intended that his Gospel 
should be preached throughout the world, and these dis- 
ciples were to be taught, that they might begin the work. 
Andrew, John, and Peter were among the first called. 
The number increased through his ministry. At one time 
seventy were added (Luke x, 1), and in the "upper room" 
at Jerusalem one hundred and twenty were gathered. 
(Acts i, 15.) 



50 A STUDY OF THE BOOK OF BOOKS. 

o. Teaching and Preaching. In Jadea^ Samaria^ Galilee, 
and the region beyond the Jordan Christ taught, spending 
most of the time in Galilee, and making his home at Caper- 
naiint. 

He taught the people concerning himself and his doc- 
trines. 

To Nicodenius, a ruler of the Jews, he taught the necessity 
of being horn again, (Jolin iii, l-o.) 

To the woman at the well, in Samaria, he taught that he 
was the Messiah, and that his Gospel was like loater, of 
which if a man drank he should never thirst, (John iv.) 

His wonderful words were spoken to the multitudes at the 
seashore (Luke v, 13) ; to the people in the Temple (John 
vii, 14, and viii, 2); to the gathering on the mount (Matt, v, 
1); in their synagogues (Luke iv, 15); to the children: not 
even the youngest were omitted, but, taking them in his 
arms, he put his hands upon their heads and blessed them. 
(Matt, xix, 13-15.) 

Much of his prenching was in the form of stories called 
Parables, which represented different phases of the truth. 

The parables of Jesus should be very familiar to us all. 
We name here only a few of those found in the gospels: 

T/ie Good Shejyherd. (Luke xv ; John x.) 

The Prodigal Son. (Luke xv.) 

T7ie Soioer. (Luke iv,) 

7'he Good Samaritan. (Luke x.) 

The Lost Piece of Silver. (Luke xv.) 

The Ten Virgins. (Matt, xxiv.) 

The Great Snpp)er. (Luke xiv.) 

Tlie Wedding Garment. (Matt, xxii.) 

During his ministry Jesus also p>trformed many miracles, 

A miracle may be defined as follows : 

xin extraordinary work wrought for a special purpose by 
a servant of God^ directly assisted by the divine Peing, and 
which ccndd never be performed by man cdone. 



A STUDY OF THE BOOK OF BOOKS. 51 

These miracles were performed to show men that he came 
from God, and that he spoke the truth, as he proclahned his 
Gospel, 

Some of the principal miracles we here name : 
Welter turned into wine, (John ii.) 

TTie icidow^s son raised from the dead, (Luke vii.) 

Five thousand fed with five loaves and two fishes. (Matt, 
xiv.) 

Jairus's daughter restored to life, (Mark v.) 

Lazarus raised from the dead, (John xi.) 

Tlie blind man healed. (John ix.) 

The lepers cleansed. (Luke xvii.) 

in. Period of His Passion. Time, one week. Events 
during this period: 

1. The Last Supper. In which he took bread, to represent 
his body, and ichie, to represent his blood, which w^as soon 
to be shed on the cross, commanding his disciples all to 
partake of it in memory of his death, and to continue 
it as a sacred remembrance of his death until he came 
again. 

2. His Betrayal by Judas Iscariot. 
8. His Trial before Pontius Pilate. 

4. He is denied by Peter and forsaken by all the apostles. 

5. llie Crucifixion, 

6. Buried in JosepKs tomb and a strong guard of Roman 
soldiers set to watch the sepulcber. 

IV. Period of His Resurrection. Time, forty days. 
Events of this period: 

1. The Besurrection. This was the greatest of all miracles. 

2. Christ Appears to the Women who visit his tomb. 

3. His Appearance to his Disciples as they are assembled 
at Jerusalem and elsewhere. 

4. His Ascension to Heaven from Mount Olivet. 

After this period Jesus appeared on two other occasions — to 
Said of Tarsus, who was by means of it converted and was 



d2 A STUDY OF TEE BOOK OF BOOKS. 

called Paul^ and to John on the Isle of Patmos, to whom lie 
gave the vision called the Mevelation. 

QUESTIONS FOR REVIEW. 

Over how long a period does the Ufe of our Saviour extend? 

Name the four periods. 

How many years for the first period? 

Give the principal events of this period. 

At what age was Jesus baptized ? 

How long was Clirist's ministrj^? 

What was the first event of this period ? 

Describe the three temptations. 

What two things are we taught in Clirist's victory over Satan ? 

How did Jesus intend to spread the Gospel ? 

Name the first three disciples. 

How many were there at the upper room in Jerusalem ? 

Where did Jesus spend most of his ministrj^? 

What did he teach Nicodemus ? The woman at the well ? 

To whom else did he preach? 

Name some of the parables. 

Define a miracle. 

Why did Jesus perform miracles ? 

Name some of his miracles. 

Wiiat events took place during his Passion week ? 

Wliat during the Resurrection period? 

To whom did Jesus appear after his ascension ? 



LESSON XI. 
BIBLE DOCTRINES ABOUT JESUS. 

THE TWELVE APOSTLES. 

1. Jesus is God: 

1. The Ajoostles said so. (John i, 1; Phil, ii, 11; 

Rom. ix, 5.) 

2. Jesus said so Himself. (John x, 30; xiv, 9.) 

3. He received icorship, 

4. He performed miracles in His own name, 

5. He raised Himself ivom the dead. 



.4 STUDY OF THE BOOK OF BOOKS. 58 



2. Jesus is Man : 

1. A helpless Babe, 

2. A growing Child. 

3. Became Tired; Hungry; Thirsty, 

4. He was " tempted like as we are." (Heb. iv, 15.) 

3. Jesus is therefore God-man, (John i, 1, 14.) 

4. Jesus lived before He came to this world as a Babe : 

1. He told the Jeios so. (John viii, 57, 58.) 

2. He was toith God in the beginning. (John i, 1.) 

3. He was God. 

We thus learn that it was Jesus Christ who appeared to 
Abraham as the Angel; to Jacob in his lorestling; to 3foses 
in the Burnhig Bush, and to others in the Old Testament. 
We call this the preexistence of Christ. 

5. Jesus on the Cross shows us: 

1. The love of God for Si7i7iers. " God so loved the 

world that He gave His only begotten Son." 
(John iii, 16. See also Rom. v, 8.) 

2. The wrath of God against Sin. " God sending His 

own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh . , . Co7i- 
demned Sin in the flesh." (Rom. viii, 3.) 

6. Jesus Prepares us for Heaven : 

1. He forgives sin. 

2. He saves from sin. 

3. Sends the Holy Ghost to teach us. (John xiv, 26.) 

7. Jesus Prepares Heaven for us. 

" Bi my Father's house are many mansions. If it were 
not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a 
place for you?'' (John xiv, 2.) 

8. Jesus will be our Judge at the last day. 

If Ave have loved Him on earth we shall not be afrriid 
of Him then. If we have not given Him our 
hearts we shall be afraid to die and meet Him 
there. Look at John xiv, 15, and see whether we 
love Him or not. 



54 A STUDY OF THE BOOK OF BOOKS. 

9. Jesus will be Forever Glorified by His Saints in Heaven, 
Read Rev. v, 9-14. 

The Twelve A^oostles, From among the number of disci- 
ples chosen by Jesus he selected ticelve who were called 
Apostles, 

The word A2^ostle means one sent forth to be a witness of 
what Jesus said and did throughout his ministry. There 
were twelve in number. 

Names. Their names are given by Mattliew (x, 2, 3) as 
follows : 

1. Shnon, who is called Peter, 

2. Andreio, his brother. 

3. James, the son of Zebedee, 

4. John, his brother. 

5. Philip, 

6. Bartholomew, 

7. Thomas. 

8. Matthew, the publican. 

9. James, the son of Alpheiis, 

10. XeJ^ez^^, whose surname was Thaddeus. 

11. /S/mo?!, the Canaanite. 

12. Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him. 

Of these Peter, James, and John were the most prominent, 
and were with Christ in the most important scenes of his 
ministry. 

All the Apostles wei-e slow to leai-n the great truths 
concerning the Saviour, and it was not until Jesus had 
ascended, and the Holy Ghost came upon them at Pente- 
cost, that they clearly understood them so as to preach with 
success. 

They all remained faithful to Christ except Judas, who 
for thirty pieces of silver (about fifteen dollars) betrayed the 
Samonr to his enemies. He afterward committed suicide by 
hanging himself. His place was filled by the survivors, as is 
recorded in the first chapter of the Acts. 



A STUDY OF THE BOOK OF BOOKS. 




SOLOMON'S PORCH. 



All the other Apostles are said to have died martyrs to the 
truth except John.. Peter 
was crucified with his 
head downward. John 
was sent away to the 
island of Patmos by his 
enemies, and while there 
the Lord Jesus visited 
him, gave him messages 
for seven of the churches 
in Asia Minor ^ and re- 
vealed to him many 
tilings that were to take 
place in the future, which 
are all written in the 
Booh of llevelition. He 
subsequently died a natural death at an advanced age and 
greatly beloved by all. 

QUESTIONS FOR REYIKW. 

Can you tell how we know Jesus is God? 

What shows him to be a man ? 

What do we mean by lu's preexistence? 

Jesus on the cross shows what ? 

How does he prepare us for Heaven? 

How does he prepare Heaven for us ? 

Who will be our Judge ? 

Do you love Jesus ? 

Have you read the fifth chapter of Revelation ? 

From among whom did Jesus choose his twelve apostles? 

What is the meaning of "apostle? " 

Give the names of the apostles. 

Who were the most prominent ? 

What progress did they make in learning the truth ? 

Who was the traitor among them "? 

What is said of the other apostles except John ? 

What was John's experience on the isle of Patmos ? 

How did his life terminate? 



56 



A STUDY OF THE BOOK OF BOOKS. 



LESSON XII. 
THE EARLY CHURCH. 

This period covers about seventy years, and closes the New 
Testament history. It teaches us concerning 

1. The Church at Jerasaletn. 

2. The Church Scattered Abroad, 

3. The Missionary Church. 

THE CHURCH AT JERUSALEM. 

After Jesus had ascended the Apostles returned to Jerusa- 
lem, and in company with others {about one hundred and 
twenty in all) went into an vp)per room to pray together and 




INTERIOR OF A MODERN ORIENTAL DWELLING. 

wait for the Holy Spirit whom Jesus had promised should 
come. Ten days from this time came the day of Pentecost. 
This was the Ilaroest Festival of the Jews. Oa this day 
occurred what we may call the Inauguration of the Chris- 
tian Church, 



A STUDY OF THE BOOK OF BOOKS. 57 

Now let us learn about the 07ie hundred and ticenty in that 
upper room. 

Six thingrs were said of them : 

1. They were all with one accord, 

2. They were all in one place, 

3. Suddenly there came a sound from Heaven as of a rush- 
ing,^ mighty wiyid^ filling the whole house. 

4. There appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire 
and sat upon each of them. 

5. They xoere all filled with the Holy Ghost. 

6. They spake with other tongues as the Spirit gave them 
utterance. 

Now many people were visiting Jerusalem, to attend the 
festival. They came from different countries, spoke differ- 
ent languages, and were much astonished to hear every man 
in his own language the things the Apostles were speaking 
to them. 

Then we have an account of the First Gospel Sermon, It 
was preached by Peter ^ and was all about Jesus Crucified and 
Risen.^ the Holy Ghost^ Salvation to Whosoever Will, the 
duty of Repentance and Baptism. 

The effect of this preaching was the conversion of three 
thousand souls on that day, and numbers each day after, who 
continued steadfast, praising God continually. 

We sometimes hear people disputing about "the first 
Church," and " the true Church," and many unwise and use- 
less things are said. But we may learn from this Church in 
Jerusalem both what is Xh^ first and which is the true Church. 

If Our Church is 

1. All filled with the Holy Ghost ^ 

2. Preaching the Gospel of Jesus, 

3. Winning Souls to Jesus, 

4. Praising God Continually, 

we may he sure loe are like the first Church, and we may he 
sure we are of the true Church. 



58 A STUD Y OF THE BOOK OF BOOKS. 



THE CHURCH SCATTERED ABROAD. 

The Church was not to remain at Jerusalem alone. God 
had other plans for it. It was to spread al>road. So we read 
how God permitted the wicked Jews to persecute her. 
Stephen^ a good man, was stoned to death, and Saul hunted 
the converts to put them in prison. 

The members of the Church were thus forced to flee, and 
" wetit every v^here preaching the wordy Thus the Gospel was 
cari'ied into Ethiopia^ Phoenicia^ Judea, Samaria^ Galilee^ 
Damascus^ and Antioch in Syria. 

In Antioch the Disciples were first called " Ghristiansy 

About this time Saul, the great persecutor of the Churc-h, 
was converted on his way to Damascus, His name was 
changed to Paul,, and he became one of the Apostles. 

THE MISSIONARY CHURCH. 

The Church organized at Antioch liad in it some of the 
very best men, but they were Jews, and had been taught that 
none but Jews could have the Gospel. Now, God intended 
to send the Gospel to cdl the vK)rld. 

1. He taught Peter by a vision that Gentiles also might 
receive Salvation. 

2. He called upon the Church at Antioch to separate Par- 
nahas and Paul to go as Missionaries. 

The two men obeyed this call and preached in the Idund 
of Cyprus and several cities in As'ui Minor. 

They were persecuted by wicked Jews, but succeeded in 
establishing churches in many of the places visited. 

A second and a third Missionary tour was accomplished by 
Paul with like results, although he was ichipped^put in prison^ 
stoned^ and driven about by the enemies of Christ. Churches 
were established in Europe and Asia by this means. Paul 



A STUDY OF TEE BOOK OF BOOKS, 59 

wrote a large portion of the Epistles in the New Testament^ 
and was finally taken to Ro^ne^ a prisoner, and after preach- 
ing some time was beheaded by the Emperor Nero. 

QUESTIONS FOR REVIEW. 

For what purpose were the one hundred and twenty assembled ? 
What was the day of Pentecost to the Jews ? 
What is it to the Christian Church ? 
Did the Disciples understand all of Christ's teachings? 
What did lie tell them in John xvi, 12, 13 ? 
Wliat six things occurred on the day of Pentecost? 
Who preached the first G-ospel sermon ? 
What was in this sermon ? 
What was its effect ? 

What do we learn here about the first Church ? The true Church ? 
How was the Church spread abroad ? 
Who was stoned and became the first martyr ? 
Who persecuted the Church ? 
What caused his persecution to cease ? 

Who was taught that the Gentiles might be saved by the Gospel ? 
Who were selected as Missionaries ? 
Where did they start from ? 
, How many Missionary journeys did Paul make ? 
What persecutions did he suffer? 
What became of Paul ? 
What became of the other disciples? 
To whom did Jesus appear on Patmos ? 



THE END. 



